Dried red lentils are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in various dishes. They cook relatively quickly and don't require pre-soaking, making them a convenient choice for weeknight meals. Here are some delicious recipes to try with dried red lentils:
- Red Lentil Curry: Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried red lentils
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Cooked rice or naan bread, for serving
Instructions: a. Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs clear. b. In a large pot or deep pan, sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until softened. c. Add the curry powder, cumin, and coriander to the pot, stirring for about a minute until fragrant. d. Stir in the lentils, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. e. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the curry has thickened. Add more broth if needed. f. Season with salt and pepper to taste. g. Serve over cooked rice or with naan bread, garnished with fresh cilantro.
- Lentil Soup: Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried red lentils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions: a. Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs clear. b. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened. c. Add the garlic, cumin, and turmeric to the pot, stirring for a minute until fragrant. d. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. e. Cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened. f. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. g. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
- Mediterranean Lentil Salad: Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried red lentils
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, for a non-vegan version)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: a. Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs clear. b. Cook the lentils in a pot of boiling water for about 10-15 minutes or until tender. Be careful not to overcook them; you want them to retain some texture. c. Drain the cooked lentils and let them cool to room temperature. d. In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, feta cheese (if using), and fresh parsley. e. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. f. Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and toss to combine. g. Adjust seasoning to taste and chill the salad in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.
These recipes should give you a good starting point for cooking with dried red lentils. Feel free to get creative and adapt them to suit your taste preferences by adding different vegetables, spices, or herbs. Enjoy your lentil culinary adventure!